1. THE IMPACT OF DROGBA
New York City FC host the Montreal Impact on Saturday (2 pm ET, MLS LIVE) as Jason Kreis’ side look to build on their victory over Orlando City in a game that could bring the first MLS start for Andrea Pirlo and the MLS debut of Frank Lampard. Montreal are not expected to debut new signing Didier Drogba, who on Thursday spoke of his reasons for joining Montreal. What does Drogba's arrival mean for the Impact’s on-field play?
2. NO ALL-STARS, NO WORRIES FOR D.C. UNITED
D.C. United, (who nearly had a different name) come into Saturday’s game against Real Salt Lake (7 pm ET, MLS LIVE) well rested. The East leaders did not have any All-Stars, something that doesn’t bother them one bit. United are hardly short of stars, though, and RSL will be striker Alvaro Saborio, who will face his former club for the first time since recently being traded.
3. UNION'S GADDIS READY FOR HIS CENTURY
Ray Gaddis could make his 100th regular-season start for the Philadelphia Union on Saturday when they host the New York Red Bulls (7 pm ET, MLS LIVE). The game could also mark new signing Tranquillo Barnetta’s debut for the Union, although head coach Jim Curtin isn’t planning to rush it. The Red Bulls, meanwhile, have a Chilean international on trial.
4. GIOVINCO A DOUBT FOR TFC
The New England Revolution will be very interested in whether or not Toronto FC’s Sebastian Giovinco is fit to play against them on Saturday (7.30 pm ET, MLS LIVE) after he sat out the All-Star Game due to injury. Meanwhile, the Revs are benefiting from Diego Fagundez's recent revival.
5. CREW ARRIVALS, ORLANDO DEPARTURES
While Columbus Crew SC have made a potentially critical signing, bringing in Ghanaian international and World Cup veteran Harrison Afful, their opponents on Saturday, Orlando City (7:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE), have sent players in the other direction. The Lions traded goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts to the LA Galaxy and sent out reserve Sidney Rivera to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Tommy Redding to the Wilmington Hammerheads.
6. CAN SKC MAKE IT 14 IN A ROW?
Sporting Kansas City are unbeaten in 13 home games in all competitions this year and the West contenders will fancy their chances when the Houston Dynamo come to town on Saturday (8:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE) . Houston will get Giles Barnes back from international duty as they face SKC for the second time in quick succession. Does that mean the sides know each other better?
7. GALAXY PLAYERS SURPRISED BY PENEDO MOVE
The LA Galaxy travel to the Colorado Rapids on Saturday (9 pm ET, MLS LIVE), and they may or may not throw newly returned goalie Donovan Ricketts straight into the lineup. Many of the Galaxy players were surprised by Jaime Penedo’s departure. Rapids striker Kevin Doyle is looking forward to facing his Ireland teammate Robbie Keane, Also, let's take a minute to marvel at the Colorado Caribous' fringe kits.
8. SOUNDERS STARS ARE BACK
As the stars start to return for the Seattle Sounders -- including forward Obafemi Martins -- Gonzalo Pineda welcomes the extra competition for places in the midfield. How many of their big names will be available against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday (10 pm ET, MLS LIVE in the US, TSN1, RDS2 in Canada)? Young Vancouver striker Kekuta Manneh is keen to repeat his past success at CenturyLink Field.
9. CAN THE TIMBERS END THEIR SLIDE?
Caleb Porter gave his Portland Timbers squad three days off this week in the hopes that fresh legs can help them break their three-game winless streak when they host the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday (5 pm ET, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes in the US, TSN5 in Canada). The Quakes are looking to tighten things up at both ends of the field.
10. COCIS THE KEY FOR FIRE?
Razvan Cocis is starting to find his form with the Chicago Fire, but will it be enough when they host West leaders FC Dallas on Sunday (7 pm ET, FOX Sports 1, FOX Deportes in the US, TSN2 in Canada). FCD's Kellyn Acosta is taking on a larger role for the side that is now leading the Supporters' Shield race.
11. STADIUM UPDATES
Lots happening on the stadium front: During an All-Star Facebook Q&A, MLS Commissioner Don Garber dropped an interesting update on the New England Revolution’s quest for a new home. Elsewhere, while Orlando City are showing off the new renderings of their stadium, it seems there are a few stipulations about the current Miami plan.
12. ATLANTA TRAINING GROUND
Atlanta United claimed they were close to finalizing plans for a training complex and, it looks like the 2017 expansion club could be planning a little more.
13. COACH HARKES?
With reports that there will be a Cincinnati-based club in the third-division USL next year, a new rumor has surfaced suggesting that former MLS star and US international John Harkes could become the team’s first head coach.
14. JULIAN GREEN’S NEW GOAL
While few were expecting Julian Green to be part of Bayern Munich’s first team this year, many expected him to go on loan to another club again, most likely in either the Bundesliga or the 2.Bundesliga. Yet on Thursday, Green’s agent stated the US international will stay with Bayern Munich’s U-23 team this year.
15. SEE THE TASK TO THE END
The US men's national team’s disappointing fourth-place finish in the CONCACAF Gold Cup may have had plenty of people calling for Jurgen Klinsmann’s head but, following yet another change of manager for the Mexican national team, is it time for cooler heads to prevail and let Klinsmann get on with the job he started?
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